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| A scrap from Flamingos en Provence! |
The RSC17 colour for February was aqua, but I pulled a wide range of blue greens from light sea green and aqua through dark turquoise and teal for my Talkin' Turkey blocks. Recently I have been a lot more mindful of the benefit of using a full range of values in my projects. Well, since my water lily misstep, actually. Katie Pasquini Masopust recommends a 7-step value scale for the projects in her book, and around the same time I saw an episode of Quilting Arts (Series 18) on PBS where one of the teachers had a 7-step scale made from paint chips. That seemed like a good idea, so now I have these:
Technically, the white should probably be pure white. But then I thought, how often do I use pure white fabric? Or pure black. Anyway, it is a work in progress. But, the point is that I used to think in terms of a 3-step value range, light - medium - dark, and I've realized that a project looks much fuller and well rounded if you use more gradations. Even in a scrappy block like Talkin' Turkey!
So, I can't have all 7 steps in each colour, but I'm trying for 4 or 5.
And since RSC17 will include a "light" month and a "dark" month, both still to come, I'll definitely be able to use all 7 values in the complete quilt. I think it will pay off!
And, with all this 7 step practice, I'm hoping my next attempt at the water lily will be more successful!
Of course, I'm still up to my old tricks in this quilt too. It was impossible not to fussy cut this slice of cucumber, left over from Picnic.
Maybe it would have been better off centre? Something to consider next time. I think I still have a piece of cucumber saved for the green blocks, too. I hope so!
Right now, though, I'm going to start work on the colour for July. So, it adios to aqua, and bonjour blue!
To see all the other RSC blue projects this week, click right here.
Your blocks look great! I love them!
ReplyDeleteI've recently been learning more about the importance of value in fabric choice, and sometimes it feels like a complicated thing to do. I like the idea of the paint chips, and that would make a fun outing - paint store first, then quitl shop! I really like your aqua Talking Turkey blocks in all their values!
ReplyDeleteLove those aqua blocks and the fun fussy cutting!
ReplyDeleteSeven step or five step Talking Turkey blocks look great.
ReplyDeleteLove the flamingos and the cucumber!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on learning about the full value range. So many people don't understand that concept. The blocks look so lively also because of the little,touches of other colors, like the cucumber.
ReplyDeleteSeven steps...okay...doesn't always work for me. But it sounds like a valuable lesson! Love the fabrics no matter what!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so interesting. You can really see the impact of the more subtle range. It's immediate. I will look at quilts differently because of this!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jillian! I think the same principle applies to embroidery design too. But for my work, I think it's going to make a big difference!
DeleteI do like your fussy cutting and your choice of non-white for the background. I'm
ReplyDeleteThank you! It took me a while to warm to beige, but I have to say it does help the other colours glow!
DeleteVery interesting post Monica, value is important, though I go by what looks right to me. Love the fussy cut cucumber...
ReplyDeleteAWESOME aqua! I'll be looking forward to seeing your beautiful BLUE, too.
ReplyDeleteThose aqua blocks were terrific. I liked the placement of the fussy cut cucumber. What fun fabrics to stitch. I am also learning that those quilts with a wider range of values seem to really sparkle. Your projects sparkle so you've got this seven step process in your tool bag! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terry! I love sparkle too, and it is nice to be a little more deliberate about how I see and use value. I'm hoping it will pay off!
DeleteBeautiful aqua blocks. This is going to be an amazing quilt. Talkin'
ReplyDeleteTurkey is a wonderful block to showcase fabrics, great choice.
Thanks very much, Bea! I'm really enjoying it. :D
Deleteloving these aqua blocks and using the colour range certainly works so well. I too do not like white but I do find myself using more and more black especially for sashing etc
ReplyDeleteI know that I don't think about value as much as I should so it's interesting to see this way of prompting yourself (and sadly, I have to admit I have a huge collection of those paint chips, just because I can't walk past them without taking a few). It's definitely led to some striking blocks.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are gorgeous. I haven't messed with value very much yet. I am learning about it while working on my Garden Party blocks (pattern by Bonnie Hunter.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy! Garden Party is a great pattern -- it's on my list too!
DeleteI've never consciously put the 7-step concept into my fabric selection, but I surely will now. It is particularly appropriate when using scraps. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteTalking turkey is looking great! LOVE that cucumber in the middle. So fun to see special things in the quilts we make. I'll bet your blue ones are going to be lovely too. .... I am loving that yellow sunflower fabric in the pile.
ReplyDeleteHow many different colours will be in your talkin' turkey quilt? I love your aqua blocks! The cucumber is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThese are really beautiful blocks! I guess I think of things more in terms of contrast {be it light/dark, warm/cool, etc} so I found this an interesting post! I can see clearly from your pics just how much more exciting things become if you add aqua tones too!
ReplyDeleteOh Monica - you have my all time favourite colour here -Aqua!! Beautiful blocks and fabrics, I love the little pops of limey green.
ReplyDeleteYour aquas are beautiful. I like the fabric with cucumber. Like you I would center the cut but it would probably look better off-centered. Ha. I use a grey scale/value finder that divides into 10 from white to black. You're right. Choosing a range of values makes quilts so much livelier.
ReplyDeleteThese blocks are gorgeous! You have such a wide variety of aquas. They are beautiful together. And your cucumber center: perfectly fun!
ReplyDelete